canadianpilgrim2008
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2008, October
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Just to let you know, a lot of the stops in the stretch out of Astorga are very rural, some don't even have internet. So I wouldn't worry too much, not hearing doesn't shock me.Has anyone seen my daughter Rachael Bartram from Canada in the last week? Last phone call home was Monday, May 25 from Astorga, Spain. She is walking alone and with all the concerning news in this area of late we are very anxious to hear from her. If anyone knows of her whereabouts please get in touch. Thanks.
Yes I certainly will. And thank you Waveprof for your reassuring words.Please let us know when you hear from her.
Please let us know!Usually there is nothing to worry about because these gaps in communication do happen quite regularly among pilgrims. On my recent Camino I dropped my phone in the toilet and it died...my husband didn't hear from me for three days until I could borrow someone's phone to text him the news and another three days before I got to a phone to call him. It might be helpful to know how often Rachael was calling home prior to Astorga. Was it on a regular basis (how many days between calls)? Also, was she calling on her own phone or was she looking for pay phones? In other words, is this a significant deviation from the communication you were previously receiving from her? This information may be helpful in determining whether people on the forum may want to be more proactive in communications.
Based on the date you last heard from her, if she is on the typical pilgrim schedule, she is probably between Villafranca and Sarria today. I have attached phone numbers for the Albergues in those areas (you could also look them up online and write to them). There is probably nothing to worry about. It is a very safe walk and there are tons of wonderful kind and helpful people every step of the way. She is going through a mountainous area and probably just got caught up in what she is doing. One does not think about making phone calls while walking. However, I understand your concern and if she were my daughter, I would want to find out where she is. I assume you have checked Facebook and Instagram. Also her cell phone bill (online) will let you know the last time she used her phone for anything (but this doesn't help in the case of a lost phone). Please let us know as soon as you hear from her. And for anyone reading this who hasn't called home in awhile (young or old), please let the people who love you know you are okay; they don't realize how easy it is to lose sight of time while walking the Camino.View attachment 18902
I have still not receive a phone call from Rachael but went to our bank this morning and was able to find out that her bank debit card has been accessed along the camino for small amounts of cash. (in amounts that would seem appropriate). Her last withdrawal was Friday, May 29 from Villafranca. Even though we have not heard from her, we are feeling relieved to know that her debit card is traveling in a westerly direction and the days walking from Astorga to Villafranca seem correct. She is not traveling with a cell phone and was trying to use a phone card. I will post again when we actually hear from her. Thank you camino community for your concern and advice.Has anyone seen my daughter Rachael Bartram from Canada in the last week? Last phone call home was Monday, May 25 from Astorga, Spain. She is walking alone and with all the concerning news in this area of late we are very anxious to hear from her. If anyone knows of her whereabouts please get in touch. Thanks.
That's good news. And, again, if someone who usually keeps in good contact would have a stretch where it would be difficult......that would be the first stretch I'd think of. A lot of rural albuergues/towns....some of the most "cool" to stop at in that stretch have the least in terms of internet etc. So it really makes sense to me that she could have fallen out of touch. It's just a bad coincidence that it is also the stretch with the missing woman, hence heightening your fears. The bank account withdrawls are pretty convincing. She must be fine.I have still not receive a phone call from Rachael but went to our bank this morning and was able to find out that her bank debit card has been accessed along the camino for small amounts of cash. (in amounts that would seem appropriate). Her last withdrawal was Friday, May 29 from Villafranca. Even though we have not heard from her, we are feeling relieved to know that her debit card is traveling in a westerly direction and the days walking from Astorga to Villafranca seem correct. She is not traveling with a cell phone and was trying to use a phone card. I will post again when we actually hear from her. Thank you camino community for your concern and advice.
I agree. For many people the Camino is a chance to disconnect and get away from it all. If that is the case, please let loved ones know that is your intention so that they don't worry. I don't think every walker should necessarily have to keep in regular contact - perhaps that is the purpose of their pilgrimage. But be clear about your intentions so they can have appropriate expectations. Of course, I hope this young traveller touches base with home when she arrives in Santiago and I send best wishes to her parents.I guess we should start posting stuff about the importance of a formal communications plan agreed upon (or not) by both parties (sender and receiver).
Maybe someone could start a list of public phones (which are getting rare), internet cafes (also getting rare), places offering wifi, and cell phone dead zones.
Usually I always travel alone , and When abroad i rarely do Phone calls since it is too much expensive , but the simple thing i do , is just sending a text message every day to my Family to make them know i'm ok ,,, It won't take more than 1 min either the morning or the night ,,,
I hope Rachel has contacted home,is well and enjoying the CaminoUsually I always travel alone , and When abroad i rarely do Phone calls since it is too much expensive , but the simple thing i do , is just sending a text message every day to my Family to make them know i'm ok ,,, It won't take more than 1 min either the morning or the night ,,,
precisely. I'd never take a cell phone on pilgrimage (I don't even take one on normal vacation). And I mostly try to avoid the internet on Camino. We did take an iPod touch with us last time (purchased in Pamplona at the last minute) because we realized that traveling with a baby we needed it---but I wouldn't take it with me again.I agree. For many people the Camino is a chance to disconnect and get away from it all. If that is the case, please let loved ones know that is your intention so that they don't worry. I don't think every walker should necessarily have to keep in regular contact - perhaps that is the purpose of their pilgrimage. But be clear about your intentions so they can have appropriate expectations. Of course, I hope this young traveller touches base with home when she arrives in Santiago and I send best wishes to her parents.
Yes!But if you establish a pattern of calling/texting, you need to give warning before cutting it off. Not because there is anything wrong with going silent, but because people will worry if they aren't warned
Agreed!At this time, it is especially important to maintain contact. Later, when the issues on the problematic stretch are resolved, I'm sure there will be less anxiety.
Rachael is back on the radar! Received a call from her this evening. Her email account had been compromised and she was borrowing phones when people offered along the way to phone home. We have arranged a predetermined time that she will call next. I will save the lecture for when she returns. Having walked the camino myself in 2008, I know about the camino bubble where you feel safe and everyday you meet so many kind and amazing people not imagining that your mother is worrying about your safety and would appreciate a message of well being. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and well wishes.I have still not receive a phone call from Rachael but went to our bank this morning and was able to find out that her bank debit card has been accessed along the camino for small amounts of cash. (in amounts that would seem appropriate). Her last withdrawal was Friday, May 29 from Villafranca. Even though we have not heard from her, we are feeling relieved to know that her debit card is traveling in a westerly direction and the days walking from Astorga to Villafranca seem correct. She is not traveling with a cell phone and was trying to use a phone card. I will post again when we actually hear from her. Thank you camino community for your concern and advice.
So glad to hear it! You're a wise mother too.Rachael is back on the radar! Received a call from her this evening. Her email account had been compromised and she was borrowing phones when people offered along the way to phone home. We have arranged a predetermined time that she will call next. I will save the lecture for when she returns. Having walked the camino myself in 2008, I know about the camino bubble where you feel safe and everyday you meet so many kind and amazing people not imagining that your mother is worrying about your safety and would appreciate a message of well being. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and well wishes.
I am so happy she called! As a mother who has been through this with my daughter, I totally relate to the fear and then relief when they finally do callRachael is back on the radar! Received a call from her this evening. Her email account had been compromised and she was borrowing phones when people offered along the way to phone home. We have arranged a predetermined time that she will call next. I will save the lecture for when she returns. Having walked the camino myself in 2008, I know about the camino bubble where you feel safe and everyday you meet so many kind and amazing people not imagining that your mother is worrying about your safety and would appreciate a message of well being. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and well wishes.
There is a "Jesus"!!!!!!
I am glad you now know that she was safe. But a lecture? Really? Perhaps you should rehearse it in the mirror before you put it in the bin.I will save the lecture for when she returns. Having walked the camino myself in 2008, I know about the camino bubble where you feel safe and everyday you meet so many kind and amazing people not imagining that your mother is worrying about your safety and would appreciate a message of well being.
Dougfitz: we don't know what their agreement was on communication and, with the concern about safety on that leg out of Astorga, I assume they probably agreed to some kind of communication. On the other hand, I think it really was just a figure of speech...I can think of many times I have made the same comment after my daughter forgot to call. I think it was just a sigh of relief...I am glad you now know that she was safe. But a lecture? Really? Perhaps you should rehearse it in the mirror before you put it in the bin.
@falcon269, I think it is possible to support reasonable requests where they are made to let pilgrims know that their lack of contact with someone claiming to be a family member or friend is a concern, but generally no more than that.I am uncertain if catering to the anxiety of non-pilgrims is a burden we should be expected to bear. I am uncertain, that is all.
@LauraK, you are correct, we don't know. But equally, to assume that there was some agreement might be just as fraught. Perhaps the threat of a lecture was just a figure of speech. But it seems terribly clumsy if it is, and completely unnecessary if it wasn't. I think in a similar position I would be happy to know my child was safe, and make a mental note to myself to make sure that this was discussed and any of my concerns explained during the planning for whatever adventure was going to be undertaken next.Dougfitz: we don't know what their agreement was on communication and, with the concern about safety on that leg out of Astorga, I assume they probably agreed to some kind of communication. On the other hand, I think it really was just a figure of speech...I can think of many times I have made the same comment after my daughter forgot to call. I think it was just a sigh of relief...
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